Plymouth State University

GARY HOLDEN ('86):  A former four-year wrestler at Plymouth State, Gary Holden served as the head wrestling coach for the Panthers from 1987-91. He produced 21 All-Conference student-athletes, one conference champion, two national qualifiers, and one NCAA Division III All-American. Holden was named New England Rookie Coach of the Year in 1988 and New England Coach of the Year in 1990.

A native of Lowell, Mass., Holden went to work at Ferrum College in Virginia in 1991, where at the time of his induction he was in his 25th year as Sports Information Director and his 12th year as Assistant Athletic Director. He also served a year as Acting Commissioner of the Atlantic Central Football Conference and three years as the league’s Sports Information Director. Holden was the President of the Virginia Sports Information Directors for four years from 1998-2002, and currently served as the Virginia SID webmaster.

Holden also served Ferrum College for 10 years as head men’s tennis coach and two years as women’s tennis coach from 1999-2008, earning a pair of USA South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors. He served on the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Committee from 2004-08, the last year as National Chair. Holden is the author of the book titled, “Black & Gold, A History of Athletics at Ferrum College.”